Carney defends doing business with countries that don’t share Canada’s values

Prime Minister Mark Carney defended his government’s pursuit of trade with countries accused of human rights abuses, arguing few nations meet Canada’s standards. Wrapping up a visit to Turkey, Carney insisted engagement does not equal approval, but declined to say whether he personally challenged President Erdogan over his government’s crackdown.

As Ottawa deepens ties with Turkey, PM argues engagement does not mean endorsement

Murray Brewster · CBC News

· Posted: Oct 23, 2026 6:43 AM EDT | Last Updated: 12 minutes ago

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Prime Minister Mark Carney defended his government's approach to balancing human rights and trade on Friday, saying very few countries in the world can meet Canada's standards.

He made the remarks near the end of his trip to Turkey, where he signed a strategic partnership with the government of President Recep Erdogan, which has faced sustained criticism from human rights groups.

The complaints intensified this month when the Turkish government executed several high-profile operations to systematically silence opposition voices, suppress independent journalism, and restrict marginalized groups.

In the past Carney has said Canada is pursuing values-based realism in its approach, recognizing that not every partner will share all Canadian values.

"Engagement in those partnerships does not mean approval," Carney said Friday.

"There are very few countries in this world that have the standards of Canada."

A statement from the Prime Minister's Office said Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand raised the issue of human rights with her counterpart during meetings on Thursday.

Carney was asked by journalists on Friday whether he personally raised concerns with Erdogan during their separate meeting. The prime minister refused to be pinned down.

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Carney hails new trade, defence pact with 'exceptional partner' Turkey

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Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new strategic trade and defence partnership between Canada and Turkey, as Ottawa continues its drive to tighten relations with other middle powers and fellow NATO members.

"My approach on these issues is I have direct conversations with leaders," Carney said. "I find those conversations are more effective when they're direct and open and not then reported out in detail, but we have raised these issues."

Concern about the authoritarian reflexes of the Turkish government have partly overshadowed Carney's initiative to deepen trade ties. 

The prime minister is looking to make Canada less dependent on the United States market and to diversify its trading markets. Much of the effort has thus far gone into deepening ties with Europe and nations in the Indo-Pacific, but it has also included other states with questionable human rights records, including recently Saudi Arabia. 

'Disappointed' by U.S. claims

Carney is holding a series of meetings with business leaders in Istanbul after the political talks in Ankara on Thursday.

One of the deals being pursued involves the possible sale of Canadian nuclear technology to Turkey as the Middle Eastern nation attempts to reach its climate goals.

Carney told reporters said, following the signing of the strategic partnership, there were ‌now "good chances" for Canadian engineering firm AtkinsRealis to be picked as a partner to build the two power plants ⁠Turkey is planning.

Also Friday, Carney pushed back more forcefully against allegations of Canadian interference in the U.S. midterm elections.

The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa released a fact sheet on Thursday, officially accusing Canadian leaders of election meddling ahead of the Nov. 3 vote.

• Carney announces trade and defence partnership with Turkey

• Canadian diplomats advised to avoid appearing with midterm candidates

"There is no merit to these claims, so I'll call it out that way," Carney said. "I'm disappointed that their envoy sees that as his role to make these suggestions."

The prime minister went on to say Canada has a very deep diplomatic presence in the United States and lots of interaction with American companies, citizens and individuals. 

"As a country Canada is very, very careful to not be seen to interfere in the democratic process," he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Murray Brewster is the senior defence writer for CBC News, based in Ottawa. He has covered the Canadian military and foreign policy from Parliament Hill for over a decade. Among other assignments, he spent a total of 15 months on the ground covering the Afghan war for The Canadian Press. Prior to that, he covered defence issues and politics for CP in Nova Scotia for 11 years and was bureau chief for Standard Broadcast News in Ottawa.